Reading Room

Breast Health

For four years, I have been working with a family nurse practitioner who specializes in breast health. Her first two visits to Roseburg had me alarmed – out of the dozen women Ingrid Edstrom, FNP-C, saw six of them had problems , three of them ended up with surgeries and one of the three had had a negative mammogram and ultrasound prior to her infrared imaging . This propelled me to learn more about the bio-chemistry of breast cancer, and read more on the subject. Needless to say there are volumes of information, many of which are confusing and contradictive, but my attention was caught and several things began to stand out.

Breasts have been and always will be an interracial part of identification with femininity. They provide us the ability to feed our offspring, they aid in the attraction of a mate, and they differentiate us from men; a woman’s self-esteem is very affected by her breasts and how she views herself. These mammary glands are comprised of fat, tissues, muscles, lymph nodes and blood vessels. All of these are affected by hormones, some naturally occurring and others like xenobiotic estrogens from the environment.

I first learned about the effects of xenobiotic toxins when I was on the Hepatitis C task force for Douglas county. “Agent Orange, 24Td, Roundup” You might wonder about this connection; Vietnam veterans have a very high prevalence of hep c, they also are the victims of agent orange which has now been linked with diabetes, endocrine disorders and heart disease. Herbicides, pesticides, fungal sides, petroleum distillates and many other chemicals are turned by the human body into xenobiotic estrogens that disrupt normal chemical pathways, leading to endocrine disruption and increased harmful estrogens that affect the heart, prostate and lead to diabetes. These chemical agents are liberally applied to road ways, used in landscaping, agriculture, construction and a host of other applications. Petroleum products including plastics are detected along with prescription medications, pesticides and herbicides in city and rural water supplies. All of these increase cancer risk factors for everyone and they are also linked with increases in mood disorders theoretically because of the xenobiotic interference with neurotransmitter pathways of the brain.

We know the younger a women is when she begins producing estrogens, (or goes on synthetics) and the longer she is exposed to them, the greater her risk of developing breast cancer. We also know there are several pharmaceuticals that remain in the human body for generations, being passed from mother to daughters eggs in the womb – could this be a link to the most aggressive forms of cancer?

Additionally we know that as a woman enters peri-menopause and later menopause, her body stops producing key hormones that have kept estrogens in balance. She may become estrogen dominant in fact, smothering all her other hormone receptor sites with estrogens. When estrogens are out of balance heart disease, diabetes and cancer risks increase. Dr. Kenna Stephenson, MD has shown in her landmark bio-identical studies that when women are returned to physiological ranges of their hormones, diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, high blood pressure and menopausal symptoms all normalize. This is not the case with synthetic hormone replacement therapies, it is actually the converse.

Now before you get wigged out about estrogens, let’s take a closer look at the vital role several of them play. For starters the human body produces several forms of estrogen and they are made from cholesterol; Estradiol, Estrone and Estriol. They are needed by both women and men, and are central for brain function as are all the hormones. Estrogens are used by bones and muscle tissue, there are hormone receptor sites all over the body. The plant kingdom provides what are called pyto-estrogens; Mexican Wild Yam, Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Licorice, Sage, Unicorn Root, Soybean, Flax Seeds and Sesame Seeds. For centuries these herbs have been eaten or combined to help maintain hormonal health. But today it is not so simple, with synthetic hormones and chemicals pervasive in our food, water, environment and prescription medications we are seeing breast cancer climb to the second most prevalent form of cancer for women and prostate cancer is on the rise in men. *Note heart related illnesses are responsible for 52% of women’s deaths in America; the heart is greatly affected by estrogen dominance.

There is no easy fix for breast cancer, but with a combination of “early detection” testing, including my favorite infrared breast imaging, dietary/detox, nutraceutical therapies and proactively eliminating xeno-estrogens and synthetic estrogens from your environment, risk factors can be reduced and potential problems can be averted before cancer forms.

Hormone Imbalance

Hormone Imbalance
by ZRT Lab

How do I determine whether my hormones are balanced?

To get a general idea of whether or not your hormones are balanced, you can take a quick self-test by clicking on the “Determine Symptoms” link on our website. Fill in those symptoms you are currently experiencing to see if they are associated either with a deficiency or excess of specific hormones. To be absolutely sure, however, you can measure specific levels of these hormones with saliva testing to determine if they are in balance or out of normal range.

What is the link between hormone imbalance and breast cancer?

There are many factors associated with hormonal imbalance and the risk of breast cancer, among them: declining levels of progesterone as we age, and/or with removal of the ovaries in hysterectomy; xenohormones in the form of pollutants and pesticides, oral contraceptives and synthetic hormone replacement therapy all contribute to an excess of estrogen in the body; this condition is known as “estrogen dominance.” Since estrogen stimulates cell growth, a predominance of it especially in the absence of adequate levels of progesterone (common in the menopausal years), presents an increased risk of cancer, particularly in the breast.

For more information on this read What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life; by John R. Lee, M.D. and David Zava, PH.D. (Warner Books). You can also call our 24-Hour Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166) and listen to audiotapes 31 and 46.

I have breast cancer; what can saliva hormone testing tell me?

What we often observe in breast cancer patients is that they tend to have a distinct hormone profile that shows up in saliva testing. We would recommend that you do the basic panel + p.m. cortisol. This encompasses estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, a.m. (morning) cortisol, and p.m. (evening) cortisol. This provides you with a complete overview of your hormone balance; extremely important information in regard to breast cancer.

You are welcome to order a saliva test kit from our website or call us at 503-466-2445. If you feel comfortable, you can include a copy of your pathology report for Dr. Zava to review. Be sure to mark clearly on the included requisition form “breast cancer patient” so that special attention is given. For more information read What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer: How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your Life; by John R. Lee, M.D. and David Zava, PH.D. (Warner Books). You can also call our 24-Hour Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166) and listen to audiotapes 31 and 46.

Will a hormonal imbalance affect my endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial (uterine) tissue migrates into other parts of the body and gets scattered in areas where it does not belong: within the womb, the pelvis, the colon, and even the lungs. When menstruation begins, the wrongly placed endometrial cells don’t have a way out and form into cysts. With each monthly cycle these cysts gradually expand, swell and bleed into the surrounding tissue; this can be very painful, even disabling. If you wish to do saliva hormone testing in relation to endometriosis we would recommend that you test estradiol and progesterone levels. We know that an excess of estrogen (estradiol) is associated with overgrowth of the endometrium of the uterus and that progesterone levels identified through saliva testing may often be deficient in this case. Birth control pills are also associated with the problem. The saliva test can identify whether an imbalance between these two hormones exists so that you and your health care provider can take steps to correct it. For more information, call our 24-Hour Hormone Hotline (503-466-9166) and listen to audiotapes 31 & 42.

How can I determine my hormonal balance?

Saliva testing is a simple and highly accurate way to test hormone levels to identify whether an imbalance of one or more hormones exists. For further information about the importance of hormone balance and your health, the efficacy of saliva testing, and the hormones we test along with a “Determine Symptoms” checklist and online ordering, please visit our website home page You can also order a test kit through our office at (503) 466-2445.

I suspect I have a hormone imbalance. My symptoms suggest this, but how do I find out for sure?

Saliva hormone testing is a simple and highly accurate way to identify suspected hormone imbalance. You might consider ordering our comprehensive test kit, which tests estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-s and Cortisol. This will provide you with a broader picture of your present hormone levels, whether any imbalances exist and to what extent.

What are polycystic ovaries and what is their link to hormone imbalance?

Polycystic ovaries occur when numerous growths/cysts develop on the ovaries. This is commonly associated with a hormonal imbalance (estrogen dominance and/or an excess of androgens, such as testosterone). In many cases, these cysts are benign and can shrink or even disappear when the hormone imbalance is corrected. The only reason for removal of the ovaries is if they are cancerous or if the cysts are causing pain and do not respond to treatment. For more information call our 24-hour Hormone Hotline at (503) 466-9166 and listen to entry 39.

What is the link between hormone imbalance and thyroid function?

Hypothyroidism or low thyroid is most common in women during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years; approximately 26% of women in or near menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. In his book, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause”, Dr. John Lee states that among his women patients the taking of thyroid supplements was especially common in those with estrogen dominance. When estrogen is not counterbalanced with progesterone, a predominance of estrogen can actually block the action of thyroid hormone at the cell level. Saliva hormone testing often reveals that women who are estrogen dominant tend to have menopausal symptoms associated with typical low thyroid symptoms such as: feeling cold all the time; weight gain or being unable to lose weight; thinning hair; sleep disturbances and fatigue; mood swings, depression; mental confusion; hair loss and low sex drive. If you are suffering with symptoms of low thyroid, estrogen dominance may be a factor. Saliva testing can establish whether or not this is the case.

What is the link between hormone imbalance and uterine fibroids?

Estrogen dominance causes the uterus to grow unchecked, which can cause fibroids—tough fibrous, noncancerous lumps, which can cause heavy, constant bleeding. Fibroids can grow dramatically during perimenopause, stimulated by too much estrogen in the body. Large fibroids create estradiol (the most potent form of estrogen) inside the lump, leading to more estrogen dominance. Monitoring your estrogen levels through saliva hormone testing and taking proper steps to maintain a balance of estrogen to progesterone is especially important during these years. While the average fibroid is an undetectable lump in the wall of the uterus, about the size of a hen’s egg, larger fibroids often cause irregular bleeding and heavy, or painful periods. In fact, fibroids are the most common physical reason for excessive bleeding during menstruation. If saliva testing reveals a condition of estrogen dominance it would be worthwhile to discuss the use of bioidentical progesterone with your physician to counter estrogen buildup.

Note: recent information cautions against the use of progesterone for the treatment of larger fibroids. With all fibroids, hormone supplementation should be kept as low as possible. To learn more read Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book: The Wisdom of Menopause (Bantam Books). For more information call our 24-hour Hormone Hotline (503) 466-9166 and listen to entry 43.